2017 Round Up – Favourite Reads

2017… What can I say the book world did us proud, from new to me authors, to debut authors and new releases by my all time favourites, it was a mixed bag. I managed to read over 70 books as well as a few re-reads and I still wanted to read more. Here is a round up of just a few of my favourites!

Tarryn Fisher –

If you haven’t read anything by this author I suggest you do. Each one of her books are uniquely different, it’s like opening a fortune cookie, you never know what you’re going to get. She writes villains and true to her tagline words are her weapon, she has an unbridled power to slay you.

I am in awe of this woman, her writing not only speaks to my soul on a deep and powerful level, but she inspires me daily. A strong advocate for woman.

A new to me Author, who I am also proud to call my friend. But note, this is not why I’m mentioning her, its because she is without a doubt an Author to watch out for. With a unique writing style that continues to grow in strength. Her use of the written word and how she conveys them in all their splendid glory is captivating. A Zombie Apocalypse series that is in no way mediocre, this is by no means about your typical zombie killing spree, the Side Effects Series has depth and soul. It’s about friendship, love and perseverance. I cannot wait for the final instalment in the Side Effects Series.

If it wasn’t for word of mouth and within an amazing book community I may never have been fortunate enough to have read GSH and HTKARS these are both beautifully scripted in their own right. I was spell bound, the feelings they evoked in me at times left me speechless and I feel my words aren’t enough to do them justice. I believe our destiny leads us to where we are meant to be and these are all part of my reading journey. Sitting proudly on my bookshelf, these without a doubt will be re-visited by me time and time again.

I was empowered after reading A Memoir of the Craft by King himself. It begins with his early childhood, his struggles on becoming a published author and his journey on writing a memoir of the craft. Things I never would have known if not for this book, and its one I’ll read again. Poignant quotes like this, I take heed and listen to…

“If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.”

Burning Muses is one of those books that resonated with me for many reasons. Jen has the power to be real, raw and emotional in her writing, with published poetry, this author manages to interlink her poetry within her novel, which was refreshing and poignant.

This was my first read by this author and it left me with the best kind of a book hangover, striking a cord causing my heart to ache and my nose to tingle, it was heart breaking and yet beautiful. I cried reading it and the words remained with me long after turning the last page, note this is not a romance or a happily ever after, but its now a firm favourite of mine.

London Below, the world of Neverwhere. I was so very late to the party, but hey however cliche better late than never right? Set in the streets under London this book called to me. Commuting daily this gave me a whole new vision of the possibilities of what goes on in “London Below”. I was completely captivated by his style humour and characterisation, it was bizarre in the best possible way.

This book was bittersweet, if you’ve ever read anything by CoHo you’ll know the power of her writing, yet with this she one stepped away from what we’re are used to and this left me with so many mixed emotions.

“Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.”

Its the main message in the book in its entirety which is of most importance, I know this will without a doubt give others strength and let them feel less alone, even when the choices we make are the hardest sometimes they are the wisest.

“Maybe love isn’t something that comes full circle. It just ebbs and flows, in and out, just like the people in our lives”